Grand National Jockeys: Top Riders to Watch in 2027

For punters, jockey selection matters more in the Grand National than in shorter races. A horse with ability can be undone by a rider who lacks the experience to navigate Aintree’s unique challenges. Conversely, a skilled pilot can coax a marginal horse to places that exceed its raw ability. Understanding who rides well here shapes informed selection.

The yards booking them are led by Willie Mullins.

Record Holders

The Grand National’s record books include names that have become synonymous with the race itself. George Stevens rode five winners between 1856 and 1870, a total that stood unmatched for over a century. In the modern era, Brian Fletcher (three wins) and Ruby Walsh (two wins) represent the benchmarks against which contemporary riders measure themselves.

Rachael Blackmore’s 2021 victory on Minella Times broke ground that extended beyond statistics. She became the first woman to ride a Grand National winner, a moment that drew 8.8 million television viewers according to Grand National Guide data. The achievement reflected not just her skill but the changing demographics of professional jump racing, where women now compete at the highest level regularly.

Paul Townend’s 2026 victory on I Am Maximus added his name to the record books in a different way. He became one of only a handful of jockeys to win the Grand National twice on the same horse, emulating the partnership between Davy Russell and Tiger Roll. His 2024 triumph on I Am Maximus had already made him only the second jockey in history—and the first since 1930—to conquer the Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Grand National in the same year. The 2026 win, coming after a second-place finish in 2025, confirmed Townend as the dominant Aintree rider of his generation.

Patrick Mullins’s 2025 victory on Nick Rockett remains one of the most emotional Grand National moments in recent memory. Riding as an amateur for his father Willie, Mullins drove the 33/1 outsider to a famous win, holding off the late surge of I Am Maximus and Paul Townend. The achievement—amateur jockey, family yard, emotional backstory of owner Stewart Andrew’s late wife—gave the race a narrative that transcended sport. However, Mullins’s 2026 return ended in immediate drama when Grangeclare West unseated him at the first fence, a reminder that Grand National history offers no guarantees.

Tiger Roll’s consecutive victories in 2018 and 2019 with Davy Russell aboard remind punters that proven partnerships matter. Russell knew the horse’s quirks, understood how to settle him through the early stages, and judged the pace expertly on both occasions. The combination of familiar horse and experienced jockey proved unbeatable across two different renewals of the race.

The wider context is set out in our Aintree betting guide.

Current Top Jockeys

Paul Townend rides as number one jockey for Willie Mullins, a position that guarantees access to the best horses in jump racing. His Aintree record now reads: two wins (2024, 2026), one second (2025), and one third (2023) from fifteen rides. He is a seven-time Irish champion jump jockey with over 1,500 career wins. His riding style suits the Grand National perfectly—he doesn’t panic in traffic, preferring to wait for gaps rather than force them. Over thirty fences, this patience conserves his horse’s energy for the closing stages when others have burned reserves through unnecessarily aggressive early riding.

In 2026, Townend’s ride on I Am Maximus was a textbook example. Carrying top weight of 11st 12lb, he tracked the inside path, stayed calm when loose horses caused chaos around him, and delivered his challenge at the elbow to peg back 28/1 outsider Jordans in the final furlong. As he told ITV afterwards: “He’s so good. He’s got such an engine and will gallop to the end of the world for you.”

Jonjo O’Neill Jr emerged from the 2026 Grand National as one of the standout performers among the supporting cast. He rode Iroko to second place at 18/1, improving on the horse’s fourth-place finish in 2025 when it had been sent off as the 13/2 favourite. O’Neill Jr’s ability to get the best from Iroko across two renewals marks him as a jockey whose Aintree credentials are growing with each visit. His strength in a finish and tactical awareness over the National fences make him a rider to watch in 2027.

Ben Jones rode Jordans to a remarkable third place at 28/1 in 2026, leading the field over the final two fences before being caught by I Am Maximus and Iroko on the run-in. Jones’s bold front-running ride showed that Aintree rewards jockeys willing to commit early and trust their horse’s stamina. His performance marked him as a jockey capable of producing a career-defining ride on the right day.

Rachael Blackmore remains among the elite despite increasing competition for top rides. Her 2021 Grand National victory was no fluke, as subsequent seasons have demonstrated with consistent Grade 1 success. She rides with a quiet effectiveness that produces results without drama, exactly what the Grand National demands from its participants.

Derek Fox won the 2017 Grand National on One For Arthur and has maintained his reputation as an Aintree specialist. His familiarity with the course extends beyond one winner, with multiple placed finishes demonstrating repeated competence over the unique obstacles. Horses Fox rides at Aintree arrive with a jockey who knows the terrain.

Harry Cobden rode Perceval Legallois (33/1) in the 2026 Grand National and represents the British contingent most likely to feature on fancied runners. He brings experience from high-level chasing and has completed Grand Nationals on horses ranging from favourites to outsiders. His presence in declarations signals trainers who prioritise proven Aintree competence.

James Bowen delivered one of the rides of the 2026 race, guiding High Class Hero to fifth place at 66/1 for Willie Mullins. Bowen’s ability to coax a massive run from an outsider demonstrated that Aintree rewards jockeys who can settle a horse and conserve energy over four miles. His 2027 booking will be worth noting.

Jockey-Trainer Combinations

The most successful Grand National combinations pair horses with jockeys who know them intimately. Paul Townend riding for Willie Mullins represents the dominant partnership in modern jump racing. Their 2026 Grand National win was their third consecutive together (2024 I Am Maximus, 2025 Nick Rockett with Patrick Mullins, 2026 I Am Maximus), equalling Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell’s record of four Grand National wins as a trainer. The understanding between trainer and jockey allows Mullins to trust race execution without micromanaging tactics.

Dan and Harry Skelton offer a British equivalent of stable loyalty. Harry rides virtually everything from his brother’s yard, accumulating knowledge of each horse that outside jockeys cannot match. In 2026, Harry partnered Panic Attack, which went off as one of the favourites at 7/1 but fell at the third fence. The Skeltons’ ambition for Grand National success remains undimmed, and their targeting of the race in recent seasons suggests 2027 entries will warrant serious attention.

Gordon Elliott’s operation distributes rides across several leading jockeys. In 2026, his runners included Favori De Champdou (ridden by Danny Gilligan, 6th at 40/1), Three Card Brag (Jordan Gainford, 9th at 50/1), and Firefox (Keith Donoghue, 16th at 40/1). Elliott’s ability to place multiple horses in the finish demonstrates the depth of his Grand National operation.

Henry de Bromhead saddled Monty’s Star (10th, Darragh O’Keeffe) and Gorgeous Tom (12th, Sean Flanagan) in 2026, both completing the course. His 2021 Grand National winner with Rachael Blackmore on Minella Times proved his ability to prepare a horse specifically for Aintree. His entries in 2027 will deserve attention, particularly any horse showing staying form through the winter.

Proven partnerships carry weight in selection analysis. A horse returning to Aintree with the same jockey who completed the course previously offers security. The jockey knows what to expect at each obstacle and how the horse responds to Aintree’s demands. New partnerships lack this foundation, introducing uncertainty into an already unpredictable race.

2026 Grand National: Jockey Performance Summary

The 2026 race offered clear lessons about which jockeys handle Aintree’s unique demands. Here is how the key riders performed:

Notable non-finishers:

Key Bookings for 2027

Jockey bookings for the 2027 Grand National will crystallise as declarations approach. The 2027 Grand National is scheduled for Saturday 10 April 2027, with the Festival running from Thursday 8 April through Saturday.

Paul Townend will ride Willie Mullins’ preferred runner. Mullins has hinted that I Am Maximus could return for a third Grand National campaign in 2027, aiming to emulate Red Rum’s record of three wins. Should that plan materialise, Townend’s mount is already settled. If I Am Maximus does not return, Mullins’ large team of entries ensures Townend will ride a horse carrying significant market support.

Patrick Mullins faces an interesting decision. His 2025 win on Nick Rockett proved his Aintree ability, but his 2026 unseating at the first fence on Grangeclare West showed how quickly things can go wrong. Whether Nick Rockett returns for 2027—or whether Patrick rides at all—depends on Willie Mullins’ stable plans. If Nick Rockett is declared, Patrick’s booking signals genuine confidence from the yard.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr has proven his Aintree credentials across two renewals with Iroko (4th in 2025, 2nd in 2026). If Iroko returns for a third crack, O’Neill Jr is the logical choice to ride. Their partnership is building into one of the most reliable jockey-horse combinations at Aintree.

Harry Skelton looks certain to partner the leading hope from Lodge Hill. Dan Skelton has targeted the Grand National aggressively in recent seasons, and the Skeltons will be determined to improve on their 2026 disappointment when Panic Attack fell early. Harry’s commitment to the family operation means no conflict over external bookings.

Freelance jockeys face decisions as declarations approach. Those without retained positions must choose between competing offers, balancing horse quality against trainer relationships. A jockey offered a 20/1 shot from one stable and a 40/1 shot from another must weigh form, course suitability, and long-term implications.

Watch the Racing Post jockey bookings column through February and March 2027. Early confirmations signal serious intent. Horses still without jockeys a week before the race may struggle to attract top talent, as preferred riders will already have commitments. This creates a secondary indicator of which entries are genuine and which are speculative.

For punters, jockey bookings offer information beyond face value. When a leading jockey commits to a horse at 25/1 over an alternative at 10/1, they’re expressing confidence that the longer-priced option has genuine winning prospects. Jockeys see morning work, know how horses feel, and make choices based on information unavailable to the public. Their decisions carry insight worth noting.